Ep 1. Hermit Crab Shell Exchange

In the season 3 premiere of Wild Kratts, the Kratt brothers are exploring the ocean floor when they stumble upon a creature in desperate need of help: a hermit crab. The crab is struggling to find a new home as hermit crabs must move into larger shells as they grow, but all the suitable shells in the area have already been claimed.

Enter the Wild Kratts, who decide to help the crab by finding it a new home. But as they search, they discover that all hermit crabs are facing a similar problem- a lack of suitable shells. The Kratt brothers quickly realize that this issue has far-reaching consequences, as it not only affects hermit crabs but also the entire ecosystem. For example, if hermit crabs can't find a new home, they may end up fighting with each other or even dying, which could then impact other animals who depend on them for food.

In an effort to help solve this problem, the Wild Kratts team turns to technology and builds a new shell for the hermit crab out of several different materials. However, they soon realize that just creating one shell won't solve the problem for all hermit crabs, and they need to come up with a more sustainable solution. They team up with scientists and researchers to come up with ways to provide more suitable shells for hermit crabs in the wild, such as creating artificial shells made of biodegradable materials that can be recycled when the hermit crab has outgrown it.

Throughout the episode, the Wild Kratts also provide detailed information about hermit crabs and their unique adaptations, such as their soft, vulnerable abdomens that require protection. They explain how hermit crabs are scavengers and play a vital role in cleaning up the ocean floor and how they can even communicate with each other through scents released from their shells.

Overall, the episode is a fascinating look at a specific issue facing one species and how it can have far-reaching consequences. The Wild Kratts team does an excellent job of not only educating viewers about hermit crabs but also showing the importance of finding sustainable solutions for environmental problems. The use of technology and cooperation with scientists and researchers adds a real-world element to the episode and provides an example of how different fields can work together to solve problems. Fans of Wild Kratts and nature documentaries alike will enjoy Hermit Crab Shell Exchange and the team's efforts to help these unique creatures.